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Pets Make Healthy Companions for Seniors
Consider a gift for seniors that studies show can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce bone loss, improve circulation, decrease stress - even help them live longer. But you won't find this present in a pill bottle. Instead, you'll find it scurrying along on the end of a leash or curled up and purring on your lap. Research shows that pets not only provide companionship, but can improve seniors' health, too.
"Pets are great companions for seniors and could make a great holiday gift," said Brian Trainor, owner of Home Instead Senior Care in White Plains, serving Westchester Putnam and Dutchess counties. "Research shows that animals can become valuable friends, improving health and psychological well-being."
The benefits of pet ownership are significant and varied, according to Kelly Connolly, Issues Specialist for Companion Animals with The Humane Society of the United States.
"Having a pet in someone's life has been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce bone loss, improve circulation and increase levels of exercise," she said. "In one compelling study, it was even shown that owning a pet increased the chances of survival in some patients who suffered a heart attack."
A St. Louis study released in 2006 revealed that pets can have more of an impact than people. It found that nursing home residents felt much less lonely after spending time alone with a dog than when other people joined in the visit.
"Psychologically, pets have been known to decrease stress and increase mental acuity," said Connolly. "Emotionally, pets increase feelings of wellbeing and hope, and ease feelings of loneliness."
However, several factors must be considered before purchasing pets for senior loved ones or allowing them to keep a long-time pet, according toTrainor.
"Issues of aging such as physical limitations and mobility problems can make it difficult for some seniors to complete pet-care tasks such as walking a dog, taking an animal to the vet and purchasing necessary food and supplies," he said.
But there's an easy fix, according to Trainor. Find trusted neighbors, friends, family members or professional caregivers to pitch in.
"When one of our clients has a pet, our caregivers help take care of it, too," said Trainor. "The fact that animals are so much a part of seniors' lives that they don't want to give them up is good news."
Make sure that the pet is a good fit, however, he said, "and finding a mature, house trained animal is best. Never surprise a senior with a pet."
Even if seniors aren't able to own their own pets, they can still reap many of the benefits by visiting a pet store or a care community or church that has an animal visitation program, said Trainor.
"Pets can be a valuable part of seniors' lives," he said, "but the decision to buy an animal for a senior should involve careful thought, research and planning."
Ten Tips for Helping Seniors Adopt a Pet
If you're thinking about giving a senior a pet as a gift, consider the following advice from the The Humane Society of the United States and Home Instead Senior Care of White Plains:
1.Don't surprise seniors with a new pet. The thought of a pet may be overwhelming to an older adult who may not be ready for the duties that owning a pet entails.
2.Talk with them about the pet that would best suit their lifestyle.
3.Discuss the time that would be required to care for the pet and whether the senior has the ability and the economic resources to care for the animal.
4.Seek outside resources. Visit your local animal shelter to learn more about the animal you are considering.
5.If looking for a dog or cat, select a more mature animal that is likely to be calmer and housetrained.
6.Make sure the animal is spayed or neutered.
7.Consider the size of the pet. Seniors living in care communities should know the facilities' regulations on pets, including size and weight restrictions.
8.Develop a plan for the pet should the senior become ill or pass away. Visit www.humanesociety.org for a free planning kit.
9.Make friends with your local humane society. Most offer free classes on pet ownership and low-cost medical care. Also, locate a veterinarian that can help care for the pet.
10.Call on trusted family, friends, neighbors and professional caregivers to help care for the pet.
For more information about pet care visit The Humane Society of the United States at www.humanesociety.org. For more information about Home Instead Senior Care, log on to www.homeinstead.com.
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